copeina
11-27-2011, 09:54 AM
Winter is beginning to rear its ugly head, and I've been putting off some maintenance for too long. So on Friday, my friend loaned me his shop with a heated floor and I spent a full 8 hours taking care of some issues:
1) Rewired the tail lights. The grounds were completely corroded and apparently the brake light was using the running light lead as a ground. Those parts I got from Ralph came in handy! Thanks Boss!
2) Changed the oil in the differentials, gearbox, and transmission to synthetics. What came out of the cases could hardly have been considered "oil" anymore. More like burnt tar.
3) Installed an interior heater. Found it at a garage sale for $3 this summer. The bracket actually clipped onto the dash brace and is completely out of the way. Might as well be comfortable.
4) Installed a new antenna. I still only get CBC, but at least it doesn't go away completely everytime I get near a concrete building anymore!
5) Changed the coolant. The old coolant resembled Guinness beer. Ick.
6) Adjusted the valve clearances. This was the main reason Babytruck needed attention. The top end clickety-clack could be ignored no longer. Cylinder 1 had almost 1/2" on the exhaust valve. Aside from my initial anxiety when I saw double cams, it wasn't a terrible job. So much nicer driving now. Less noise, smoother acceleration, and my passenger actually commented there was less vibration in her seat. (insert dirty joke here)
7) Paint. I had done a roll-on liner inside the box this summer, and the interior is being redone as I get time in GMC Santa-Fe Tan color match. That color matches the beige rocker guard spray you can get at Canadian Tire, so the outside of the box, tailgate, roll pan and from the door line down were all sprayed. If it is applied from a distance, the texture is actually quite smooth, but the product still makes a durable surface and hides lots of sins. I'm not digging the 3 tone look at the moment, but that was all I had time for.
It snowed like the devil last night, so it was a good feeling knowing the 4x4 was all ready to go.
Yay Babytruck!
1) Rewired the tail lights. The grounds were completely corroded and apparently the brake light was using the running light lead as a ground. Those parts I got from Ralph came in handy! Thanks Boss!
2) Changed the oil in the differentials, gearbox, and transmission to synthetics. What came out of the cases could hardly have been considered "oil" anymore. More like burnt tar.
3) Installed an interior heater. Found it at a garage sale for $3 this summer. The bracket actually clipped onto the dash brace and is completely out of the way. Might as well be comfortable.
4) Installed a new antenna. I still only get CBC, but at least it doesn't go away completely everytime I get near a concrete building anymore!
5) Changed the coolant. The old coolant resembled Guinness beer. Ick.
6) Adjusted the valve clearances. This was the main reason Babytruck needed attention. The top end clickety-clack could be ignored no longer. Cylinder 1 had almost 1/2" on the exhaust valve. Aside from my initial anxiety when I saw double cams, it wasn't a terrible job. So much nicer driving now. Less noise, smoother acceleration, and my passenger actually commented there was less vibration in her seat. (insert dirty joke here)
7) Paint. I had done a roll-on liner inside the box this summer, and the interior is being redone as I get time in GMC Santa-Fe Tan color match. That color matches the beige rocker guard spray you can get at Canadian Tire, so the outside of the box, tailgate, roll pan and from the door line down were all sprayed. If it is applied from a distance, the texture is actually quite smooth, but the product still makes a durable surface and hides lots of sins. I'm not digging the 3 tone look at the moment, but that was all I had time for.
It snowed like the devil last night, so it was a good feeling knowing the 4x4 was all ready to go.
Yay Babytruck!